MSc Human Molecular Genetics

Key information

Overview

This course provides a broad grounding in human genetics, with the emphasis on the molecular aspects of human genetics, particularly in relation to human disease.

It is aimed mainly at science graduates who seek research careers in areas such as fundamental human molecular genetics, genetic factors in human health and disease, or molecular and cytogenetic approaches to diagnosis.

The course is flexible, and updated regularly to reflect important advances in human genetics.

Teaching covers a wide range of topics, including the fundamentals of human genetics, clinical genetics and genomics, together with more advanced topics such as diabetes, cancer genetics, gene therapy, animal models and epigenetics.

Study programme

There are up to four weeks of intensive laboratory practical sessions, as well as computer practicals in bioinformatics and genomics, regular research seminars, student seminar and journal presentations, study group activities and a six-month full-time research project, where students pursue a novel research question within an active research group environment. Areas covered include:

analysis of human monogenic disease

analytical methods and bioinformatics

animal models and transgenesis

cancer genetics

diabetes

epigenetics

gene therapy

molecular diagnostics and clinical genetics

multifactorial inheritance

the fundamentals of human and molecular genetics

Careers

Approximately 50% of our students go on to do a PhD, 25% become research assistants/associates, while others go on to jobs in industry or further studies (bioinformatics/ computing, medicine).

Typically one or two students every year enter the NHS in clinical genetics training posts.

Structure

Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.

Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.

Core modules

6–month research project

Analytical Methods in Human Genetics

Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics

Genetics of rare and common disease

Genomics in the Laboratory

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Lectures

Study group learning

Practical laboratory classes

Blackboard Learn

BL-embedded Qualitrics surveys

Class conference field trip

6-month student research project

Panopto (lecture capture)

Research project placement

Tutorials

Videos

Workshops

Assessment methods

E-learning exercises

Essays

Journal clubs

Lab performance

Oral examination

Peer formative assessment methods are used

Presentations (poster, oral and in the lab)

Research Dissertation

Study groups

Tutorial discussions

Written examination

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Admissions

Minimum academic requirement

Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in biochemical sciences, genetics or other science-based degree.

Mature applicants with relevant academic or professional experience will also be considered.

International qualifications

The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.

We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications. For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College.

If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.

English language requirement (all applicants)

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.

How to apply

You can submit one application form per year of entry, and usually choose up to two courses.

How to apply

Making an application

ATAS certificate

An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.

Tuition fees and funding

The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.

For more information on the funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Fees and Funding website.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees (Home and EU students)

2019 entry

£11,300 per year

Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2019 will apply to fees for the academic year 2019–2020.

Tuition fees (Overseas and Islands students)

2019 entry

£34,500

Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2019 will apply to fees for the academic year 2019–2020.

Postgraduate Master's loan

If you are a Home or EU student who meets certain criteria, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £10,280 from the UK government. The loan is not means-tested, and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.

Scholarships

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies. Try our scholarships search tool to see what you might be eligible for.

There are a number of external organisations also offer awards for Imperial students, find out more about non-Imperial scholarships.

Accommodation and living costs

Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.